In this article:

1. What Is Alpha Channel?
2. Before Getting Started
3. Enable Alpha Key in EasyWorship
4. Enable Windows Extended Desktop

What Is Alpha Channel?

Alpha channel is basically a mask. It determines how an object's pixel colors are going to blend with pixel colors from another object when the two are overlaid. In EasyWorship, when placing text (e.g., lyrics) or a transparent PNG (e.g., church logo) on top of a motion background or live feed, alpha channel is the best way to generate clean, professional edges around the text--especially important for IMAG, live stream or HD broadcast.

EasyWorship's alpha channel support was designed for those who have a video mixer that uses alpha key to overlay text and graphics on a video source. Alpha channel keying provides the best quality for text and graphic overlays.

Before Getting Started

Alpha channel support requires a single NVIDIA Geforce GTX series graphics card that can support at least three simultaneous video outputs. Before using the alpha channel function in EasyWorship, make sure your computer meets the system requirements for alpha channel support. Connect the alpha channel and EasyWorship Output to the video mixer and extend the Windows desktop to each output (see Enable Windows Extended Desktop below).

The following instructions show you how to set up EasyWorship. They will not help you configure your video mixer. Please consult the support resources for your mixer for help configuring an alpha key on the video mixer.

Enable Alpha Key in EasyWorship

1. Open the EasyWorship program.
2. In the main menu at the top, select Edit.
3. From the dropdown, select Options. The Live Options window will appear.
4. Change the Output Monitor option to the output you wish to use.
5. Change the alpha channel option to the output you wish to use for the alpha channel.
6. Select OK.

NOTE: If all of the video outputs do not appear in the dropdown boxes make sure the desktop is extended to all displays. See Enable Windows Extended Desktop below.

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Enable Windows Extended Desktop

1. Open EasyWorship.
2. Select the Edit menu.
3. Select Options.
4. The Options dialog boxappears.

   

5. Select the Live tab on the upper left.
6. In the section titled Live Options, select the Monitor Setup button.
7. EasyWorship will open the Screen Resolution dialog box.

   

8. Select a monitor that is not enabled.
9. Next to Multiple displays, select Extend these displays (repeat for all inactive displays).
10. Select Apply. The desktop will extend for 15 seconds and a prompt will ask you if you want to keep the settings. Select Yes if you wish to keep the settings. The settings will revert back if you don’t select yes.
11. Select OK.

NOTE: If there is only one monitor in the Screen Resolution window or you are unable to extend the desktop to monitor, your video card may not support more multiple displays, or all video outputs may not be connected to a display.

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